The government has moved to refute media reports stating that Zambia has been removed from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for not upholding human rights.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation held a press conference yesterday to dispute the claims made in an article published in yesterday’s edition of the Daily Nation newspaper.
Permanent Secretary at the ministry, Margaret Miyoba, explained that Zambia has not been a member of the UNHRC since the end of its inaugural term between 2006 and 2008.
“I would like to categorically state that Zambia has not been blacklisted or sanctioned by the UNHRC. Please note that for any country to be removed from the council, a vote must be triggered in the UN General Assembly, so there is a process,” Ms. Miyoba said.
Ms. Miyoba further described the claims made in the local newspaper’s report as untrue and fabricated.
“I’d like to state that the claims made in this article are distortions and are not factual, so we are here today to provide clarity,” she said.
With the secret polls for UNHRC membership set for next year, Ms. Miyoba confirmed the Zambian government’s desire to vie for a seat on the council.
“Furthermore, Zambia, you should know, was an inaugural member when the council was first established from 2006 to 2008 and is now vying for membership for the term 2027 to 2029, with the elections scheduled for October 2026,” she said.
She reiterated that the government endeavors to maintain its unwavering commitment to upholding high standards in terms of human rights.
“Zambia remains committed to promoting and protecting human rights at both national and international levels. Zambia continues to uphold standards in line with these commitments,” she added.
Ms. Miyoba further disclosed that Zambia continues to engage closely with the UNHRC and other stakeholders in protecting and promoting human rights at both national and international levels.
“We continue to cooperate with the UNHRC and all the mechanisms related to human rights engagement, and we have been engaging with special rapporteurs,” she said.
The UNHRC is an intergovernmental body with 47 member states elected by a majority vote at the UN General Assembly through a direct and secret ballot.
The council, to which members are elected by equitable geographical representation, currently has only 13 African seats.